How to Care for Frozen Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is often seen climbing a trellis or fence.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) is a bushy vine that grows colored bracts, which are a type of leaf that looks more like a flower. A native to South America, bougainvillea isn't tolerant of freezing temperatures -- anything below 40 degrees can cause them to freeze. It grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 and 10. If you've experienced an unexpected cold snap, it's likely you can save your bougainvillea, provided your weather returns to a Mediterranean climate quickly. Fast action is key to keeping the plant alive.

1

Check your plant for signs of frost damage, such as brown, curling leaves or defoliation. Low temperatures don't automatically mean your plant is frozen. It might not require special care if you don't see signs of damage.

2

Lay a 4-inch layer of mulch over the roots of the bougainvillea. The mulch helps the soil retain heat, warming the roots of your frozen plant.

3

Water the plant every day if the nighttime temperatures fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures cold enough to cause a frost pull moisture out of the leaves, which can dehydrate the plant and kill it. Water in the warmest part of the day for the best results.

4

Cover the plant with a sheet or light blanket on cold nights to prevent further damage. If the plant freezes one night, it can probably survive. If it freezes several nights in a row, the tropical plant is likely to die. For additional heat, place holiday lights throughout the branches of the plant, then cover it with the sheet or light blanket. Remove the lights and sheet or blanket during the day.

5

Prune areas damaged by the freeze in late March or after the risk of harmful low temperatures has passed. Use pruning shears to remove only the pieces of the plant that are visibly damaged, such as dead ends or branches with black leaves. Bougainvilleas thrive with proper pruning, so cutting back the plant won't harm it. However, you should only remove damaged parts of the plant in the spring. Wait until late fall, after the blooming season, for more severe pruning.

About the Author

Based outside Atlanta, Ga., Shala Munroe has been writing and copy editing since 1995. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the "Marietta Daily Journal" and the "Atlanta Business Chronicle," she most recently worked in communications and management for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University.